News reporter

Three men are due to appear in court today (Friday) accused of murdering three people who died in a flat fire in Langley Mill in June.

Peter Eyre, 43, Anthony Eyre, 21, both of Central Avenue, Sandiacre, and Simon Eyre, 24, from New Tythe Street, Long Eaton, have all been charged with three counts of murder.

The father and two sons, who are to appear at Nottingham Crown Court, are accused of killing Amy Smith, 17, her six-and-a-half-month-old daughter Ruby-Grace Gaunt, and her friend Edward Green, 17, in the blaze which happened in the early hours of June 21.

Police revealed at the time that the three died of smoke inhalation.

Ruby-Grace’s father Shaun Gaunt, 18 - Amy’s boyfriend - was rescued from the three-storey property by neighbours. Another friend, aged 17, also escaped the blaze.

Edward, a student at Derby College and previously a pupil at Heanor Gate Science College, was described as a hero after it emerged he had escaped before going back into the house to try and save Amy and Ruby-Grace.